While our main in-person Town events at Weaver Street Market and Carrboro Town Hall were cancelled, the Town’s celebration of July 4th goes on! We will be celebrating in a more socially-distant manner this year through the following activities on Saturday, July 4th:
10:00am - Town Vehicle Marathon Parade
Beginning at 10:00am at Carrboro High School, a small train of town vehicles will wind its way along a 26-mile route throughout the Town of Carrboro.
For a map and written directions of the parade route, click HERE.
For those along the parade route, we encourage you to step outside to look for vehicles from Police, Fire, Public Works, Planning, and Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources as Town staff look to say hello and connect with the residents that we serve. Dress up in patriotic attire and display your best decorations. And, please don’t forget to practice appropriate social distancing guidelines and face coverings as needed.
12:00pm – Annual Community Reading of Frederick Douglass Essay
Mayor Lydia Lavelle will host a virtual gathering of community members for the 7th annual community reading of Frederick Douglass’ essay, "The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro."
In 1852, Frederick Douglass, one of our nation’s greatest orators and abolitionists, was asked to speak at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In his provocative speech, Douglass said, “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” Douglass’ speech remains emotionally powerful and thought-provoking more than a century and a half after he gave it.
The essay reading will be accessible via www.townofcarrboro.org and via Town social media channels. A copy of the text of the essay is available HERE.
2:00pm-4:15pm – Live Music and Entertainment
Join us in the afternoon for live music with Nantahala from 2:00pm-2:45pm.
Additional entertainment and activities, including a couple of kids craft activities, will also be shared via the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department Facebook Page.
Please continue to check www.carrborojuly4th.com for updates.
We look forward to everyone joining us!
Happy 4th of July!